WhatsApp’s Third-Party Chats Feature Will Let Users Choose Which Apps to Connect With: Report

WhatsApp is gearing up so as to add help for third-party messages. A report has revealed extra particulars on how the brand new characteristic will work and the quantity of management customers can have whereas giving entry to different messaging apps. It seems that the Meta-owned platform won’t solely let customers select whether or not to activate the characteristic or not, however it should additionally allow them to resolve which apps to attach with. Notably, WhatsApp has to take this characteristic stay earlier than March 6, which is the date the European Union’s (EU) new Digital Markets Act (DMA) comes into impact.

In response to a report by WABetaInfo, which shared a screenshot of the brand new characteristic from the developer construct model 2.24.6.2, the brand new characteristic, known as third-party chats is an interoperability characteristic for the areas inside the EU. The EU has mandated that customers ought to have a approach to converse with different customers on completely different messaging apps, with out having to obtain a number of apps. As soon as stay, WhatsApp customers ought to be capable to textual content customers on Telegram, Sign, and different related platforms.

Leaked screenshot of WhatsApp’s Third-party chats
Picture Credit score: WABetaInfo

Within the screenshot, a brand new interface web page might be seen below the label of Third-party chats. A brand new icon for the performance can be seen which is basically a message icon with three circles positioned in triangular form. One of many circles is in a darkish inexperienced color, doubtless indicating a third-party app. Setting choices to Flip off third-party chats is also seen. An alternative choice reads Chosen apps that’s anticipated to offer customers management over which apps to attach with.

The granular controls are in sync with the DMA tips that require customers to have management over information sharing and communication preferences. This manner customers can resolve whether or not they wish to use this characteristic or not, for a way lengthy they wish to use it, and with which apps they wish to join. At this second, the discharge date of the characteristic shouldn’t be identified. It isn’t anticipated to be rolled out exterior of Europe.

An earlier report highlighted one other interface web page of the characteristic. What seemed to be the beginning display screen for the characteristic, WhatsApp added a number of warnings for customers to grasp earlier than turning on third-party chats. Whereas one of many warnings highlighted the shortage of end-to-end encryption for messages, one other warned in opposition to elevated spam and scams.